It’s been 7 months since Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found dead in d4vd’s car. Why did charges take so long?
It’s been 7 months since Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found dead in d4vd’s car. Why did charges take so long?
Los Angeles prosecutors recently announced that d4vd, the alt-pop artist, faces first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains, and sexual abuse of a minor charges following the discovery of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body in his vehicle. The delay in filing the case has sparked public scrutiny, with many wondering why it took nearly seven months to reach this point.
Authorities launched a grand jury investigation after the girl’s remains were uncovered, summoning d4vd’s family and friends for questioning. They also withheld autopsy details and key findings from public view to protect the integrity of the case. Despite this, critics argued that the prolonged silence and absence of an arrest during the time period raised concerns about the efficiency of the probe.
“We had to be certain that nothing we did or said would ever jeopardize this case,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell, addressing the lengthy investigation. “My duty is not to fuel speculation. It is to deliver justice, and that requires patience and discipline on everybody’s part.”
Legal experts have identified several challenges that may have contributed to the delay. Celeste’s severely decomposed remains, sealed in the trunk of d4vd’s Tesla for months, complicated forensic analysis. The car was abandoned on a street and later moved to a Hollywood impound yard, where a worker noticed a foul odor and contacted police in September.
Despite the body’s state, prosecutors confirmed that the remains were dismembered and placed in two separate bags. The medical examiner’s report noted the advanced decomposition, which hindered the ability to determine the cause of death quickly. “When a body degrades, valuable evidence is lost,” explained CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson. “Without fresh samples, investigators had to rely on more complex methods to analyze the findings.”
Other obstacles included contamination of the vehicle due to its time in storage and the need to trace a timeline spanning months. “Recreating events from the past requires careful reconstruction,” said Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor now teaching law. “Identifying witnesses and verifying access to the car and d4vd’s home added to the process.”
d4vd’s legal team, who have since entered a not guilty plea, insists the evidence will demonstrate his innocence. “He did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and he was not the cause of her death,” their attorney asserted. “We will vigorously defend his case.”
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman highlighted the thoroughness of the investigation. “We reviewed extensive digital and forensic evidence, speaking with both cooperative and uncooperative witnesses to build a complete picture,” he told CNN. The charges include special circumstances such as financial motive, lying in wait, and the murder of a crime witness, elevating the severity of the allegations.
